There are a variety of home remedies or treatments you can use for your senior horse companion if he is having a lot of pain and inflammation with his arthritis. And several of them can be done at the same time. The thing to remember is that your horse is an individual and may not take too kindly to some treatments, and be just fine with others. Treat them accordingly and go with the flow.

If his joints are really swollen and painful and the Vet has suggested he be confined for a 24 hour or longer period, either use a box stall with lots of cushy hay or a small turn out pen with lots of soft grass underfoot. If your horse is herd sour and pitches a fit when out of sight of its buddy, put the buddy someplace close. The last thing you want is your sore horse to be fretting and pacing more trying to find his friend.

You can try using a flexible ice pack or even a bag of frozen peas tucked in a towel on the swollen joint for 5 minutes. Remove for 15 minutes, repeat 3 times in a row. If you can wrap the joint, then try a standing bandage to help reduce swelling and inflammation. You can also try Neo-Ice Equine bandages or an ice gel that provides deep penetrating action to help reduce edema and inflammation.

Since he’ll just get as stiff as all get out if left standing in a stall, take him out twice a day and hand walk him. Remove his bandage first then walk for about 15 minutes to get limber. When you take him back to his stall or pen, rewrap the bandage. Every day gradually increase his exercise. You will need to do this about four times a day as he progresses and then also reduce the length of time he is to be confined to about half the original period of time.

You’ll be doing controlled exercises like hand-walking, ponying at a walk or slow trot or riding at a walk or slow trot. These all depend on what condition your senior is in, so use your discretion. If the swelling comes back, you need to slow down.

If there is no swelling an hour after the exercise session(s) you should be able to turn your senior back out into this regular pasture and then slowly get back into an easy exercise program. If however there is swelling, you will need to call your Veterinarian to re-evaluate the situation.

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Colic refers to pain originating in the abdomen. Generally horses do not tolerate abdominal pain very well. So if there is any disturbance of gut function they tend to show signs of pain.

Signs of mild discomfort might be stretching, standing as if to urinate, and pawing the ground. If he is more painful the horse will get up and down, …

“I think your horse has colic.” Words to strike fear into any horse owner’s heart. But what is colic? What signs should you look for?

Colic refers to pain originating in the abdomen. Generally horses do not tolerate abdominal pain very well. So if there is any disturbance of gut function they tend to show signs of pain.

Signs of mild discomfort might be stretching, standing as if to urinate, and pawing the ground. If he is more painful the horse will get up and down, and roll to try to get more comfortable. He will start sweating. More serious cases will get up and down and roll constantly.

If you think your horse has colic, you should call an experienced equine vet straight away. He or she will be able to provide emergency pain relief and decide whether further treatment is necessary.

What can you do while you wait for the vet to arrive? Taking your horse for a walk often helps. It may encourage his guts to work normally and soothe the pain. It may also prevent him lying down to roll. If he is lying down quietly then let him stay there.

It used to be thought that a horse could cause a twisted gut by rolling. That is probably not true. But it is best to prevent him rolling if you can. That way you will prevent him injuring himself by banging himself on the stable walls. But be careful that you don’t get injured yourself. Horses often forget all their normal manners when they are in pain.

There are many different reasons for horses to get colic. But often the signs look similar regardless of the cause.

What will the vet do to investigate the problem? He or she will listen to the abdomen with a stethoscope to tell whether there is more or less activity in the gut than normal.

The heart rate gives a good indication of the severity of the pain and the seriousness of the problem. A horse with a normal heart rate probably does not have a serious problem. Whereas a high heart rate is not such a good sign.

A very useful part of the examination is the rectal examination. By feeling the intestines, the vet may be able to identify the cause of the problem. It goes without saying that this is a very skilled procedure, that is potentially hazardous for both the vet and the horse. But for an experienced equine vet the information it gives is invaluable in deciding the nature of the problem. It may reveal a blockage, or a swollen loop of intestines as a result of a twist or other intestinal catastrophe.

In all but the most straightforward cases the vet may pass a tube through the nose into the stomach . It sounds unpleasant but often may make the horse more comfortable by releasing the pressure in the stomach. It can also give the vet useful information about whether the stomach is emptying properly.

Sometimes the horse is in so much pain that it is impossible for the vet to examine him properly without first giving a dose of sedative or pain killer.

Only by considering all of the signs revealed by a careful examination is the vet able to make a tentative diagnosis. Even then it may not be possible to tell exactly what is going on.

Sometimes, after the first examination, it will be apparent that the horse needs emergency surgery. But more usually the vet will decide to treat the horse with a short-acting pain-killer and review his condition after a couple of hours. Most cases show a rapid improvement. But some will either not respond to the treatment, or they will improve at first, only to start showing signs of pain again later.

Rather than having to call the vet out several times, it is usually better to transport these cases to a specialist equine practice where they can be monitored closely and surgery can be performed if necessary.

Fortunately the vast majority of cases respond to medical treatment. But if surgery is needed – it is important to operate early. The chance of a successful outcome is much better if the operation is carried out before too much damage has occurred.

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Just because your horse is older does not mean he is ready to retire and not get ridden. Even aging equines need exercise. Not to mention the fact that they get bored doing nothing if they were active in their day. Aging horses still have sharp minds and although the body may not be keeping up as well as it once did – they appreciate being useful. Being ignored and left alone can lead to depression in a once active horse.

With older usually come arthritis, and while it can slow them down, there are exercises to help him regain his condition. Take him out of retirement and give him regular exercise – not the rodeo style kind, but gentle, tailored to his condition style exercises. The muscles around his joints will benefit by being strengthened and help protect the joints from stress. It’s a known fact a conditioned horse usually has significantly thicker and healthier cartilage than an unfit equine. The major reasons to take him out of retirement and give him some pep? Regular exercise works wonders for his attitude, appetite, digestion and general well being. He’s been your companion for so long, he deserves the best.

Before you start your rejuvenation program, have your hose Vet checked and talk to your farrier. This will give you and idea of any limitations you may need to work with. Proper trimming and shoes are extremely important when starting the older horse on an exercise routine. Preventive shoeing and trimming helps minimize concussive shock, aids flexion and extension, and alleviates lameness/ unevenness of gait.

Exercise should always start out slow and easy, a walk for 10 minutes, a slow trot, a walk, some turns and circles, some easy uphill work. When you first take him out, it will have to be for a shorter period of time to get him used to being out again. Over a period of time, based on his response, you can increase the duration of the exercises. Even if you walk and trot him by hand, he will enjoy the change of scenery.

Throw in some passive stretching exercises as well. For instance, pick up the affected leg, gently bend and straighten it – about ten times per joint. Try to do this about 3 – 4 times a day. This assists cartilage and soft-tissue healing and decreases scar-tissue formation.

Speaking of stretching, get your senior to do flexing exercises as well. Encourage them to reach as far as they can to either side. Tempt with treats and get them slowly into the longest neck stretch you can. They will be stiff at first, but with persistence they will loosen up.

Check your senior’s diet and make sure he’s getting the right dietary supplements in the right amounts. Don’t assume his feed provides everything he needs. Check this with your Veterinarian. The large-intestinal function changes as your horse gets older, and they need higher-quality protein, alternative forms of roughage and supplemental vitamin B. Commercial senior feed is good for the older horse who cannot maintain weight. Just watch the deadly mixture of not enough exercise and too much rich food or you may wind up with a portly horse.

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When you care for your horse, it is important to make preparations for the winter months. Horses need to be able to tolerate the cold weather and stay as healthy as possible. During the winter horses will have special needs which you as the owner will have to address. It is important to prepare for winter in advance.

Horses are naturally tolerant to cold weather. In fact, horses handle cold weather much better than hot weather. Despite this, there are some basic things owners will want to do to make sure their horses stay healthy. You will want to make sure the horse doesn’t have any parasites, and has been immunized. The costs for doing these things will greatly pay off during the winter. The costs of feeding the horse will be lower.

You may also want to work with your vet in setting up a health plan for your horse. Preparing your horse for cold weather will help it lower the need to eat large amounts of food in order to maintain its weight. Your horse should never lose weight during the winter. Allowing your horse to gain a small amount of weight will help them during the winter months, as the extra fat will work as a cushion to provide the horse with energy when it becomes stressed. During the winter you will want to give your horse some extra calories.

The best protection for a horse during the winter is its natural winter coat. When it is allowed to grow, it will act as a natural heat blanket which will reduce the loss of heat that the horse experiences in cold environments. The coat is also slick and will brush off snow and ice. If you keep your horses outside, you will want to make sure their coats grow long before winter.

To check the condition of your horse, you will want to rub its ribs. A large winter coat can easily hide the fact the horse may be losing weight. Your horse should weigh enough that you are not able to see the ribs but can feel them when touching the horse. Your also want to feel the ears of the horse. Do they feel cold? If so, this is a sign that the horse is cold.

Like all animals which are warm-blooded, horses must maintain their body temperature in order to survive. It is important that they conserve heat during the winter, and as the owner you must make preparations to make sure they’re healthy.

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Most people are fond of feeding their pets; some people know how to elaborate a very complex diet when choosing a Puppy Food. The horses are no exception when it comes to their feeding because every owner will try to conceive the best diet ever. He will try to sprinkle the horse diet with different types of supplements, herbs, minerals and other nutrients. But the owner should pay attention to the fact that every horse is able to run quite efficiently on its basic food, the food it has evolved on, namely the common grass. If a horse tends to gain weights quite quickly or is ridden in a light manner, grass pasture and even hay may be the perfect diet. The hay will contain all the necessary nutrients and the horse will not need Horse Supplements.

But if the horse is working hard or has difficulty when it comes t maintaining its proper weight, the diet should be chosen carefully. Grain, concentrates and other supplements are to be added to the regular diet in order to improve the animal’s health. Even the horse that is nursing a foal will be fed carefully but the owner should also pay attention to the possibility of over feeding his pet. This over feeding may occur if too many supplements and concentrates are added to the normal diet; over feeding can cause severe health problems such as abnormalities in the horse’s joints. Even the risk of colic is increased if the owner does not pay attention to the horse’s diet.

The mineral deficiencies are not a singular case when it comes to horses. In fact, this type of deficiency is quite common among horses. The good quality pasture or hay should provide the horse with all the necessary minerals. But growing foals can require foe extra diet measures such as the Horse Supplements that contain extra calcium and even a small amount of phosphorus. Selenium is another mineral that can be missing from the horse’s diet; a salt block that was enriched with selenium is to be added to the regular diet. But this nutrient has to be added in a careful manner because over supplementation can be very dangerous for the horse’s health. The veterinarian should be asked for advice in order to find out whether selenium is to be added or not.

Even the vitamin deficiencies are likely to occur but this is quite rare when it comes to horses. Other pets, such as dogs, may actually require extra doses of vitamins. For instance, a puppy may need Puppy Food that is enriched with all the nutrients that are highly necessary for its proper growth. But the horses are in a special position because their digestive system is able to produce all the vitamins that are need. The owner can also choose to add biotin to the regular horse diet in order to improve its growth or thickness; but he should not forget about the common hay and grass that will contain a large amount of nutrients.

The horse must have easy access to salt; even some Horse Supplements or concentrates are likely to contain this nutrient and they are to be chosen in order to provide the horse with the necessary amount of salt. The supplements that are rich in salt are to be preferred instead of the common block of salt. This block can actually get very dirty and the horse will refuse to eat salt that has grit in it. Even some herbal supplements can be added because this type of supplements is able to calm the horse. They are also promoting a hoof growth and the coughs and colic will be alleviated. The color of the horse and its coat condition will be improved as well. The weight gain will be promoted and the overall health and condition will be increased. The horse’s joints will be protected by these herbal supplements and healing will be promoted as well. Actually, these herbal supplements are quite popular among the horse owners and several reports have been made in order to emphasize the importance of these supplements.

But the veterinarian should always be asked for advice in order to make important changes in your horse’s diet; the nutritionist should be asked for advice too in order to avoid over feeding or dosing. Many drugs and supplements can become dangerous if the owner does not pay attention to the required dose. Research is to be done is order to find out more about the supplements that are proper four your horse and no such supplements are to be taken without having a prescription or the specialist’s advice. Therefore, the veterinarian remains your best guide ever.

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Internal parasites – out of sight, out of mind – can kill your horse. While they may be out of sight, they are doing extensive damage internally. At a minimum, parasites can steal nutrients from your horse and cause gastrointestinal irritation. The bad news is, uncontrolled they can cause colic, intestinal ruptures and death.

The three top things you must provide for your horse for his good health are clean water, high quality feed and a good de-worming program. And this will make you really stop and think. Did you realize that are more than 150 parasites that infest horses? The most common are large stronglyes (aka bloodworms), small stronglyes, ascarids, pinworms, bots, tapeworms, threadworms and lungworms. And think about this, some of these species lay up to 200,000 eggs a day. Those numbers are staggering.

The thing with all these parasites is that they may all be present in your horse at the same time, just in different lifecycle stages. So yes, while your horse may look healthy and happy, you don’t know what is going on inside. These silent killers can damage tissues and vital organs, major blood vessels, cause obstructions and ulcerations in the digestive tract. Pinworms can really irritate horses and cause intense anal itching.

Some signs of infestation may (and may is the operative word, since you won’t always see signs of problems externally) include dull, rough coat, weight loss, tail rubbing (hair loss), colic, depression, coughing/nasal discharge, loss of appetite etc. The best thing to do if you see some of these signs is talk to your Veterinarian about getting a fecal examination.
Won’t I see them worms in the manure? Answer is no, you won’t, but the eggs will be visible to the Veterinarian under a microscope. By counting the types and number of eggs, the Vet can then tell you which de-worming program will work. This test in combination with a good worming program will keep your horses protected from the ravages of pests.

You can give wormer four ways, oral paste syringe, oral liquid syringe, nasogastric tube and as a feed additive. In many cases horses will not eat something they smell in their feed, so if you can work with the other two methods, you’d accomplish worming effectively. Nasogastric tubes are best left for a Vet to administer wormer. Make sure you give the proper dose and at the proper time – usually every 6 to 8 weeks. (foals will differ, check your wormer labels)

All three methods are effective. The key is that the deworming product must be given in the proper dose (given by weight) at the proper time, and that they actually swallow the wormer. To make sure they do swallow the dose, you can do one of two things – insert your thumbs into either side of their mouth to make them open their mouth and swallow the paste or liquid they were holding in their mouth, or put your hand under their chin and tip their head up so they must swallow.

For the best worming schedule, talk to your Veterinarian. The requirements of the herd may vary if you have all ages and stages of equines from foals to old campaigners.

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Those who choose to have a pet should be well aware of the responsibilities in taking care of the animal. This is because a horse just like any other creature is prone to various diseases. This may be caused by parasites or from the food that is given and the only way to make it get better is to get proper treatment.

One problem that is not a laughing matter is equine colic. This is because a horse can die if treatment is not given. The symptoms of this disease are not that hard to notice and here are some of the things horse owners should watch out for.

1. If the horse feels restless or starts acting crazy, this could already be an indication. The person should stay a little longer to make an assessment since it is also possible that the animal was spooked by something.

2. Some horses will either stand or lie down and begin to kick its own belly. This is very similar to how humans hold on to one part of the body when it is in pain. The person should transfer the animal to a more open area so that it doesn’t cause further damage to the stable or to itself.

3. Sometimes, seeing a horse lying down on the ground is normal since this is how it sleeps. If there are no changes since the last time the horse was seen, this is another indicator that there is a problem.

4. A horse standing up in good posture does not mean there is nothing wrong. This is the reason that owners check its teeth and the other physical features because there may nothing wrong outside when it is really happening within.

The four symptoms just mentioned may happen one after the other or simultaneously. This really depends on the horse but when it happens, the owner should immediately call the vet for proper treatment.

While waiting, the person should stay with the horse and check it vitals. This means the heart rate and the body temperature. No food must be given at this time until a diagnosis has been done and a recommendation is given.

It is a good thing that there are drugs available, which can be used to treat equine colic. Some doctors even encourage the use of herbs that have to mixed first before it is given to the animal.

Is there one treatment to remedy a horse that has equine colic? The answer is no. This really depends on how serious the problem is and how well the animal will respond to the treatment.

A horse that suffers from Equine colic may live through that event. Unfortunately, this can happen again if some precautions are not yet taken.

Such steps include giving the horse multivitamins, allotting time to clean the stables, giving it a bath every so often and cleaning its teeth, a proper diet with no gaseous substances, water, regular exercise and rest.

A horse breeder or owner can read up on the symptoms of equine colic and other diseases to be well informed of the dangers. Being knowledgeable about it can save the life of the animal instead of hearing the doctor say that nothing can be done and the only thing to do will be to put it to sleep.

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Colic in horses, like in humans, is pinpointed to a problem in the digestive system. Horses will feel pain in their abdomen, which can cause them to act wild. Horses who are suffering from colic will also cry and shout. They will also prance and buck wherever they are. This may cause injuries to themselves and also to the people who go near them.

There are several types of colic in horses. One is a colic caused by a problem with gas. This is called spasmodic colic. Another type is caused by obstructions in some parts of the body, particularly in the colon or in the intestines, where the structure is a lot narrower compared to other species. Often, impactions like this in different parts of their bodies will require treatment, from something as simple as oil and medication to fluid therapy, depending on the severity of the problem. Other types that horse lovers and owners should watch out for are colics brought on by overeating and those caused by worms.

Signs of colic in horses

There are many signs of colic in horses, primary of this is the apparent restlessness and abrupt loss of appetite. Like babies, they will also be grouchy and fitful. Appetite is one of the most important things that horse owners should observe as this can be frequently overlooked. Another possible sign of colic is that the horse will become restless at one time and listless the other time. They will unusually be lacking in energy and will be lying down for a period of time. Other times, they will be at their most active.

This is when the colic is already in its advanced form and the horse can no longer bear the pain. They will tart to paw, prance, and kick the belly. They will be looking at their sides often, and rolling their upper lip. Some will also be jerking their tails, stretching their legs and going from one place to another, unable to rest.

In severe instances, they can get so wild that they will throw themselves down and assume positions that are so unnatural. They will groan and roll and paw.
Although sometimes, horses can be mighty moody sometimes, all these happening at the same period of time, recurring more than twice should already sound the alarm bells especially if the behavior is so unlike your horse’s temperament.

What to do

The first thing that you should do if you suspect colic in your horse is to not panic. This advice can be hard to take in when your horse is tearing the barn down with their wild behavior. But panic will not accomplish anything. You need a clear mind to deal with the problem. Besides, the feelings of panic will only be picked up by your horse, thereby exacerbating their own worries and fears.

The next thing that you should do is to call the veterinarian. Ask for assistance and do not attempt to solve it by yourself or to wait until the condition improves. Remember that colic is a serious matter and should be treated as soon as possible.

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The diseases that animals and humans face are very different. Perhaps because of the biological structure or simply because a person can describe the pain while a dog, a cat or a horse is unable to do the same.

It takes practice to be able to diagnose a problem with an animal. Sometimes, a sudden change could be nothing or this could be fatal. One good example is equine colic that happens to horses.

Horses that suffer equine colic usually experience from abdominal pain. Veterinarians are unable to pinpoint the exact cause but attribute the problem to the food being given to the animal. Something new may have been given which causes gas to build up

Stress and lack of exercise could also be the culprit. Studies show that equine colic happens more often to those raised in stables than those in the field.

When the horse feels restless, decides to kick its own belly, paws or rolls on the ground, stands outstretched or has a curl on the upper lip, the owner should call a vet because these are the usual symptoms of the disease.

This can only be confirmed with a more thorough exam given by the doctor that will reveal an increase in heart rate and temperature. Some medicine may be given but if it still refuses to eat, there is a very high chance that the horse will die.

Treatment must be administered almost immediately since most horses die within 48 hours. Unfortunately, even if the animal survives, it may happen again which is why preventive measures must be taken.

Here are some of these steps;

1. The owner or those who are in charge of taking care of the animal should follow the regular feeding schedule as well as make sure the stable is clean at all times. There must always be a sufficient supply of clean drinking water especially when the weather is hot to prevent dehydration.

2. Parasite could bring other diseases that could also make the horse sick. It will be a good idea to set up a parasite control program to prevent this from ever happening.

3. The ideal diet for a horse is processed grains. If this is not yet being used, it is advisable to do this from now on.

4. Taking the horse out for a ride will give it the much needed strength to fight off certain diseases.

5. Some owners give horses multivitamins and other drugs. Before doing so, this should be checked by the veterinarian since this could be the root cause of equine colic.

6. It is okay to give the horse hay every so often. Before doing so, it will be a good idea to check it for foreign objects that could also cause problems when it is digested.

7. Horses are unable to brush the teeth like humans. So, the person has to take care of that as part of the hygiene, which is just like cleaning the stable of waste daily.

There are many types of equine colic that vets classify. These cases range from mild to severe. Since horses owners may not be able to distinguish one from the other, it is always advisable to get help immediately so the problem can be treated before it is too late.

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